R&D Consulting

Deals/Contracts/Partnerships

• 1

  Accenture wins mega digital consulting contract with Saudi Aramco which is planning to invest $1.9 billion in digital transformation over the next three years, making it its biggest investment in digital to date.

  Q1(Jan-Feb-Mar), 2023

• 2

  Nipro Medical Europe collaborated with Prevas for conducting a comprehensive UX study of their medical devices. Prevas? analysis of user needs was based on interviews, surveys and observations conducted with end-users and experts from ten European countries.

  Q1(Jan-Feb-Mar), 2023

• 3

  Nipro Medical Europe collaborated with Prevas for conducting a comprehensive UX study of their medical devices. Prevas? analysis of user needs was based on interviews, surveys and observations conducted with end-users and experts from ten European countries.

  Q1(Jan-Feb-Mar), 2023

• 4

  Tech Mahindra establishes an Engineering Center of Excellence in product cost management for a large French Renewable Energy company.

  Q3(Jul-Aug-Sep), 2022

• 5

  Accenture Intends to Acquire Stellantis? World Class Manufacturing Training & Consulting Business in Italy

  Q3(Jul-Aug-Sep), 2022

• 6

  Persistent is providing advisory and consulting services to drive process efficiency and vendor consolidation for one of the largest US banks

  Q2(Apr-May-Jun), 2022

• 7

  AFRY is involved in connecting the offshore wind farm Krieger's flak to the electricity grid on behalf of Vattenfall

  Q2(Apr-May-Jun), 2022

• 8

  Eve partners with Porsche Consulting to define eVTOL global manufacturing, logistics and supply chain strategy

  Q2(Apr-May-Jun), 2022

• 9

  AFRY Management Consulting advises HKScan on their Zero Carbon Roadmap

  Q2(Apr-May-Jun), 2022

• 10

  A U.S.-based technology company chose HCL as a product engineering and joint go-to-market partner for its workforce management SaaS product. HCL will provide accelerated product roadmap, integrate newer technologies and expand the customer base by tapping into new industries and geographies. It will help the client retain and grow its customer base, drive new use cases for the product and enter into new market segments.

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2021

• 11

  A U.S.-based technology company chose HCL to improve product revenue and increase market share through a unique construct across two product categories in learning management and expense management areas. HCL will improve product revenue and growth through investment in R&D, go-to-market (GTM) and customer advocacy and drive SaaS revenues.

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2021

• 12

  Ricardo will be continuing to provide key air quality monitoring and data analysis in the Middle East with a new three-year agreement. Working in collaboration with air monitoring equipment supplier, Envirozone LLC, Ricardo will quality assure, audit and ratify data from a world class monitoring network in Saudi Arabia’s capital for the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC).

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2021

• 13

  TCS has been engaged by ZF to address customer fulfillment disruption due to semiconductor shortages by analyzing material supply situation and developing insights for effective supply and demand balancing across product portfolios This optimizes the allocation of critical parts to meet the customer demand in the most optimal way to maximize value for ZF and its customers TCS has also been engaged by ZF to help in finding alternate supply sources for critical semiconductor parts and help in expediting the procurement activities This is expected to positively impact material availability towards customer order fulfillment

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2021

• 14

  Capgemini develops impact measurement tool to support Red Eléctrica’s Circular Economy Roadmap

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2021

• 15

  Startup Circle chooses Capgemini Invent to design an urban mobility solution for the self-service car-sharing market

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2021

• 16

  Accenture Helps Climeworks Filter More CO2 from the Air and Inspire One Billion People to Be Climate Positive

  Q3(Jul-Aug-Sep), 2021

• 17

  TCS Enables Post-Merger Integration of GE Transportation into Wabtec. TCS also helped in migrating GE Transportation’s mission-critical remote monitoring and diagnostic applications that keep track of the health of over 23,000 locomotives in the field, on

  Q3(Jul-Aug-Sep), 2021

• 18

  AKKA partners with PFW Aerospace and Rosenbauer around its turnkey conversion solution of grounded military aircrafts into firefighters

  Q3(Jul-Aug-Sep), 2021

• 19

  Accenture and Salesforce are enhancing Mastercard’s ability to measure and analyze carbon emissions across its value chain. By using Salesforce Sustainability Cloud with the help of Accenture, Mastercard is gaining comprehensive insights around the emissi

  Q3(Jul-Aug-Sep), 2021

• 20

  Working with Capgemini Invent, GASAG one of Germany’s largest energy suppliers, took the first step towards the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2040 by validating neutrality targets, identifying fields of action, and developing a CO2 Savings Roadma

  Q3(Jul-Aug-Sep), 2021

• 21

  Faurecia selects KPMG as its advisor for onsite renewable electricity production

  Q2(Apr-May-Jun), 2021

• 22

  HCA Healthcare announced a new multiyear strategic partnership with Google Cloud focused on analytics-driven process improvement and digital transformation

  Q2(Apr-May-Jun), 2021

• 23

  A global beverage company has selected Designit, a Wipro company, to support a new product and service in the area of public and semi-public vending. Designit will analyze market and consumer insights and create vision concepts for the launch.

  Q1(Jan-feb-Mar), 2021

• 24

  An aerospace and defense conglomerate awarded LTTS a program to provide in-field product insights using LTTS’ proprietary Industrial AI platform AIkno. LTTS will also support the customer for engineering supply chain optimization, upgrades and improvement through should costing.

  Q1(Jan-feb-Mar), 2021

• 25

  ZF chooses Microsoft and PwC Germany as their strategic partners to build ZF’s Digital Manufacturing Platform. ZF location Diepholz in northern Germany as pilot plant. The project enables ZF to reduce conversion costs, improve inventory, performance and quality, and to make their workforce more efficient.

  Q1(Jan-feb-Mar), 2021

EIIR Provider Solutions/Capabalities

• 1

  DENSO and NTT DATA Complete Verification Test Using Vehicle and People Flow Data to Innovate the Mobility Experience. Based on the results, DENSO and NTT DATA will consider commercializing the joint service, and verify the business model together with mobility businesses (automakers, car-sharing companies, car rental companies, etc.) and service providers (retailers, tour agents, commercial complexes, etc.).

  Q2(Apr-May-Jun), 2021

• 2

  Pilot project by AFRY in the Baltic Sea to improve responsible ship generated waste management

  Q2(Apr-May-Jun), 2021

• 3

  With the integration of frog and Cambridge Consultants, Capgemini Invent now comprises a global team of 10,000 strategists, data scientists, product and experience designers, brand experts and technologists.

  Q2(Apr-May-Jun), 2021

• 4

  AKKA job cut updates because of challenges in Aerospace engineering services sector. France: possible 900 jobs cut. Germany: Initially plan was 1200 job cuts but ultimately led to 800 job cuts.

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2020

• 5

  Semcon divest its India operations of 192 employees to ASM Technologies Ltd. Interesting geographical divestment by an engineering service provider to another engineering service provider.

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2020

• 6

  Tech Mahindra to shut Pininfarina Engineering.

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2020

• 7

  Zühlke Group is continuing to expand and will open a new development location in Porto (Portugal) in the first quarter of 2021 focusing on software engineering.

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2020

• 8

  Accenture Acquires LEXTA to Expand Capabilities in IT Benchmarking, Sourcing and Advisory

  Q3(Jul-Aug-Sep), 2021

• 9

  EPAM is acquiring CORE SE, a professional service provider specializing in IT strategy and technology-driven transformations. Following the recent announcement of a new Berlin office, EPAM’s acquisition of CORE SE will further expand its Western European footprint within the DACH region.

  Q3(Jul-Aug-Sep), 2021

• 10

  Accenture Announces Intent to Acquire BENEXT, Independent French Product Management Consulting Company

  Q3(Jul-Aug-Sep), 2021

• 11

  Infosys and The Economist Group Announce Ambitious New Strategic Partnership Around Sustainability

  Q3(Jul-Aug-Sep), 2021

• 12

  Atos and Johnson Controls to partner to accelerate journey to Net Zero Buildings by marrying Atos’ Net Zero Transformation Portfolio and EcoAct advisory solutions with Johnson Controls OpenBlue Net Zero Buildings portfolio of sustainability offerings

  Q3(Jul-Aug-Sep), 2021

• 13

  Capgemini launches Net Zero Strategy offering to help organizations move from pledges to results on their sustainability journey

  Q3(Jul-Aug-Sep), 2021

• 14

  T-Systems has developed a web-based solution for sustainability. Syrah Sustainability enables companies to keep track of all sustainability indicators. A standard catalog lists 80 to 100 indicators which is fully aligned with the United Nations' Agenda

  Q3(Jul-Aug-Sep), 2021

• 15

  Accenture is bolstering its sustainability services and analytics capabilities with a strategic investment from Accenture Ventures in Arabesque S-Ray GmbH, a leading global provider of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) data and insights.

  Q1(Jan-feb-Mar), 2021

• 16

  Cyient and eolos Partner to Launch “Design for Circularity” Consulting and Engineering Practice.

  Q1(Jan-feb-Mar), 2021

• 17

  Wipro to acquire Capco, a global management and technology consultancy to banking and financial services industry, for $ 1.45 billion

  Q1(Jan-feb-Mar), 2021

• 18

  Cyient launches Global Management Consulting Practice

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2021

• 19

  Capgemini announces the acquisition of Possible Future, one of the main players in sustainable innovation consulting based in Paris

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2021

• 20

  Capgemini and Autodesk strengthen their collaboration for the delivery of a comprehensive Building Information Modeling platform and Digital Transformation services. This new agreement allows Capgemini and Autodesk to deliver end-to-end BIM platforms and transformation programs, from advisory services to implementation and change management services, as well as platform operations services.

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2021

• 21

  Zühlke opens office in Edinburgh, UK

  Q1(Jan-Feb-Mar), 2022

• 22

  Pöyry Capital has now been renamed AFRY Capital following a record 2021 in which it advised on 11 completed M&A transactions in paper, packaging, industrials and energy & infrastructure.

  Q1(Jan-Feb-Mar), 2022

• 23

  EY announces global alliance with Infosys to help organizations accelerate their transformation journeys. The EY-Infosys Alliance combines EY functional and industry-specific consulting services with Infosys technology assets and platforms to form a compelling vision to get organizations future-ready.

  Q1(Jan-Feb-Mar), 2022

• 24

  Accenture Agrees to Acquire Avieco to Expand Sustainability Capabilities in the U.K. Acquisition will bolster Accenture?s ESG measurement and analytics capabilities as converging standards and increased regulation drive client need for accurate data in decision-making

  Q2(Apr-May-Jun), 2022

• 25

  Globant Launches Digital Performance Studio to Deliver Lasting Improvement in Organizations Undergoing Digital Transformation

  Q2(Apr-May-Jun), 2022

• 26

  Wipro acquires Convergence Acceleration Solutions to expand its consulting capabilities for communications service providers

  Q2(Apr-May-Jun), 2022

• 27

  Accenture Announces Intent to Acquire Greenfish, an Independent, Belgium-Based Sustainability Engineering and Advisory Company

  Q2(Apr-May-Jun), 2022

• 28

  Cyient will acquire Grit Consulting, a Singapore-based firm with deep-rooted consulting expertise in asset-intensive industries like metal mining and energy for $37 million. Grit Consulting clocked a turnover of $18.1 million in FY22, and has about 100 employees and consultants working for it.

  Q2(Apr-May-Jun), 2022

• 29

  Capgemini expands its global creative consultancy services in Italy with frog and Doing.

  Q2(Apr-May-Jun), 2022

• 30

  Etteplan significantly expands its sustainability services and acquires LCA Consulting

  Q2(Apr-May-Jun), 2022

• 31

  Scalian consolidates its consulting business and presence in the public sector with the acquisition of Noveane, a specialist in digital and organisational transformation. Noveane is based in Paris With more than 100 employees and forecast revenue of ?15M in 2022

  Q2(Apr-May-Jun), 2022

• 32

  The global professional services firm ZS is making investment in and partnering with Quartic.ai, an enterprise-scale AI platform that advances autonomous manufacturing. ZS and Quartic will collaborate to help drive resilience, increase adoption of Industry 4.0 and improve predictive decision-making across life sciences and healthcare industry.

  Q2(Apr-May-Jun), 2022

• 33

  Bain acquired Proxima. Management Consulting and Procurement?

  Q2(Apr-May-Jun), 2022

• 34

  McKinsey acquires Caserta, a pioneer in data architecture and engineering

  Q2(Apr-May-Jun), 2022

• 35

  iTechArt announcing the launch of its fintech practice, which is designed to offer promising fintechs a range of services at every stage of their growth, from building a case for fundraising to designing and implementing solutions that propel the entire industry forward.

  Q2(Apr-May-Jun), 2022

• 36

  Thoughtworks launched its sustainability consulting services with its Cloud Carbon Footprint tool, a free and open source tool, converts cloud use into estimated energy consumption and carbon emissions.

  Q3(Jul-Aug-Sep), 2022

• 37

  Expleo acquires Germany based management consulting firm UMS Consulting

  Q3(Jul-Aug-Sep), 2022

• 38

  Oliver Wyman to acquire Avascent, a A&D management consulting firm.

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2022

• 39

  Scalian Group continues to expand in Germany with the acquisition of con|energy.he company?s expertise particularly focuses on consulting related to the energy transition, heating and mobility.

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2022

• 40

  AFRY and software and advisory company Pexapark have developed the market?s first ?Daily Valuation Curve?, providing renewables investors, developers and portfolio owners with a consistent valuation framework for renewable energy investments.

  Q1(Jan-Feb-Mar), 2023

• 41

  McKinsey may cut 2000 jobs, about 5% of its workforce.

  Q1(Jan-Feb-Mar), 2023

• 42

  McKinsey may cut 2000 jobs, about 5% of its workforce.

  Q1(Jan-Feb-Mar), 2023

• 43

  PA Consulting unites design, engineering and science, to create new growth platforms for clients, their brands, products, services, and experiences.

  Q1(Jan-Feb-Mar), 2023

EIIR Buyer GIC/R&D Best Practices/Solutions

Other News

• 1

  KPMG is the first Big Four firm to cut staff in US as economy slows. Reductions in consulting business will affect 700 people.

  Q1(Jan-Feb-Mar), 2023

• 2

  FEV and Mitsubishi are combining their industrial material capabilities, industry expertise and network with the formation of Beyond Materials. The JV establishes a specialized strategy and engineering service provider advising and supporting material s

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2022

• 3

  Stellantis Implements Asset-light Approach to Grow Jeep Brand in China and Negotiates Termination of Local Joint Venture with GAC Group

  Q3(Jul-Aug-Sep), 2022

• 4

  W?rtsil? plans to ramp down manufacturing in Trieste, Italy and to centralise its 4-stroke engine manufacturing in Europe to Vaasa, Finland. Ending the manufacturing in Trieste is expected to impact approximately 450 employees with potential redundancy.

  Q3(Jul-Aug-Sep), 2022

• 5

  Facebook changes its name to Meta to refflect its new vision

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2021

• 6

  Tesla could get revenue boost by helping Jaguar Land Rover with emissions pact. Tesla earned an estimated total revenue of $1.15 billion in the first nine months of this year by helping other automakers comply with EU's stricter emissions regulations.

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2021

• 7

  Porsche is acquiring a majority stake in the e-bike manufacturer Greyp Bikes.

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2021

• 8

  ZF and CATL Join Forces for an Optimal Aftermarket Service in E-Mobility and Energy Storage

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2021

• 9

  Huawei reaches license agreement with Volkswagen’s supplier, marking the company’s largest automotive licensing deal

  Q3(Jul-Aug-Sep), 2021

• 10

  TSMC to increase prices of its chips by 10-20%. It will have a cascading effect on the prices of products in many industries.

  Q3(Jul-Aug-Sep), 2021

• 11

  TSMC while increasing its prices by 10-20% is asking suppliers to reduce prices by 15%. Example of pricing power both with customers and suppliers.

  Q3(Jul-Aug-Sep), 2021

• 12

  Volvo Cars is planning to buy out parent company Zhejiang Geely Holding and free itself of its Chinese joint venture.

  Q3(Jul-Aug-Sep), 2021

• 13

  Panasonic is shutting down its refrigeration compressor manufacturing operations in Singapore, resulting in the layoff of some 700 workers. However, its global headquarters for the refrigeration compressor business and research and development (R&D) activ

  Q3(Jul-Aug-Sep), 2021

• 14

  A.P. Honda, Thai Honda Manufacturing and HPD have merged to form a new company named “Thai Honda Manufacturing” combining their sales and production

  Q2(Apr-May-Jun), 2021

• 15

  DENSO Transfers Its Aftermarket and Non-automotive Business to DENSO Solution

  Q2(Apr-May-Jun), 2021

• 16

  Nokia and Lenovo conclude patent cross-licensing agreement

  Q2(Apr-May-Jun), 2021

• 17

  Safran signs by-the-hour support contract with Bundespolizei

  Q2(Apr-May-Jun), 2021

• 18

  Delfast to transfer e-bike production from China to Ukraine

  Q2(Apr-May-Jun), 2021

• 19

  Foxconn and PTT are collaborating in setting up an open platform for producing electric vehicles (EV) and key components to serve the EV sector in Thailand.

  Q2(Apr-May-Jun), 2021

• 20

  Mobile Drive, the new 50/50 joint venture announced by Stellantis and Foxconn. The JV will be a tier-1 at arms length, focus on infotainment, telematics and cloud service platform development

  Q2(Apr-May-Jun), 2021

• 21

  Volvo announced its joint venture with the Swedish battery maker Northvolt, which entails their partnership on developing and manufacturing electric vehicle batteries specifically for the next generations of Volvo and Polestar EVs.

  Q2(Apr-May-Jun), 2021

• 22

  Boeing unveils new executive performance metrics tied to product safety. If more companies do so, executives will care about product safety as passionately as they care about revenue, profitability and stock price.

  Q1(Jan-feb-Mar), 2021

• 23

  Foxconn invests in EV Startup Byton. Looks Foxconn is increasing its presence in auto sector and may aim to replicate its success of contract mobile manufacturing in auto manufacturing.

  Q1(Jan-feb-Mar), 2021

• 24

  Renault has developed transformation plan Renaulution which will target reduction in R&D and Cape from current 10% to 8%. Other aspects is reducing platforms, reducing design time and reducing manufacturing capacity apart from focusing on profitable segments.

  Q1(Jan-feb-Mar), 2021

• 25

  Tesla China’s Dedicated R&D Center Suggests $25K Car Will Become Reality.

  Q1(Jan-feb-Mar), 2021

• 26

  Amazon opens ‘made in India’ toy store where sellers from 15 Indian states will showcase thousands of unique toys across categories like traditional, handmade and educational.

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2020

• 27

  Deutsche Telekom is selling vehicle navigation patents via online auction.

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2020

• 28

  Frito-Lay Enhances Direct-to-Consumer Shopping Experience with the Launch of ‘Make Your Own’ Variety Pack

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2020

• 29

  Harley Davidson makes India comeback, inks distribution agreement with Hero MotoCorp. Earlier there was news of Harley exiting India. Good they found a solution. More Auto OEMs will partner with local dominant players in different countries.

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2020

• 30

  Honda closes its factory in Greater Noida, India. They have a larger facility in Alwar which will continue.

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2020

• 31

  Honda Will Stop Selling Cars in Russia from 2022, Will Continue Two-Wheeler Sales.

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2020

• 32

  Huawei reportedly sells its Honor phone division for $15 billion. Buyer is a consortium which includes Shenzen Government.

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2020

• 33

  Lidl scraps plans to launch online in the UK as it dissolves Digital Logistics arm.

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2020

• 34

  Mercedes-Benz and Aston Martin to enhance partnership. The new agreement will see Mercedes-Benz grant access to a range of advanced Mercedes-Benz technologies in exchange for new shares in Aston Martin.

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2020

• 35

  Mercedes-Benz sells passenger-car plant in Hambach, France to INEOS Automotive

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2020

• 36

  Mercedes-Benz strategy for growth. 1. Focus more on profitable segments of luxury segment. 2. Expand customer base by growing sub-brands. 3. Focus on electric and software. 4. Lower cost base including reducing R&D cost.

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2020

• 37

  Samsung to invest Rs. 4825 crore to shift China mobile display factory to India.

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2020

• 38

  Scania is taking an important step in its strategy to grow in China by establishing a wholly-owned truck production facility in Rugao in Jiangsu Province.

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2020

• 39

  Uber Sells Its Self Driving Unit ATG Group To Aurora.

  Q4(Oct-Nov-Dec), 2020

Previous Data

• 1

  A $2 billion deal between General Motors and Nikola. GM will take an 11% ownership stake in the Phoenix company and will engineer and build Nikola’s Badger hydrogen fuel cell and electric pickup truck.

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• 2

  Audi and ABB are nearing completion of their joint partnership to bring charging points in-to Audi Authorised Dealerships nationwide in new zealand, offering AC and DC charging solutions,

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• 3

  Benefit of Tesla‘s vertical integration made possible by incredible engineering. 1. Range Increase. 2. $/ KWH Reduction. 3. Investment Per GWH Reduction

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• 4

  Bentley Motors today announces a three-year research study that promises to transform electric vehicle powertrains, utilizing a fully integrated, free from rare-earth magnet e-axle that supports electric vehicle architectures.

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• 5

  BMW Group launched?feature subscription service.

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• 6

  Bosch pools its software and electronics expertise in one division with 17,000 associates. In addition to a single source for software-intensive systems for future vehicle architectures, the new division is also responsible for the Cross-Domain Computing Solutions including vehicle computers, control units, and sensors. When software eats the car, automotive firms need to both double down on software and and integrate it cross functionally with their hardware at strategic level.

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• 7

  Car.Software Org of Volkswagen acquires camera software business area from HELLA. Through the acquisition, the software company of the Volkswagen Group will expand its competence in the field of image processing. Car.Software Org develops assistance systems and automated driving functions for all brands of the Volkswagen Group.

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• 8

  Daimler Trucks presents technology strategy for electrification. Four main developments. GenH2 Truck, a fuel-cell truck with a range of up to 1,000 kilometers. eActros LongHaul, a battery-electric truck with a range of about 500 kilometers. eActros, a battery-electric truck with a range of well over 200 kilometers. ePowertrain global platform architecture offers synergies and economies of scale.

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• 9

  Daimler to sell its factory in France which produces small cars as it optimizes its manufacturing footprint. These cars will now be produced in China by Geely.

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• 10

  GAUSSIN to set-up first factory in Qatar to assemble electric vehicles dedicated to serve sea ports, airports logistics. It will also establish an R&D center.

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• 11

  General Motors announced its technology rollout plan for electrification, intelligent driving and connectivity in China. In electrification, more than 40% of GM’s new launches in China in the next five years will be electrified models. They will all be manufactured in China, with almost all parts coming from local suppliers. It will also accelerate the development of China-specific solutions for intelligent connected vehicle.

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• 12

  General Motors Ultium Battery Factory ( JV with LG Chem ) is coming up in Ohio. It will reduce cost of EV battery from $145/kWh to $100/kWh.

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• 13

  German auto supplier Hella is reportedly planning a sale of its driver-assistance software unit.

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• 14

  GM shifts Corvette engineering team to its electric and autonomous vehicle programs. Shifting resources from legacy technology to new technology is key to auto enterprise survival.

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• 15

  Groupe Renault announces a plan to develop its organization around its brands, grouping them mainly into four business units (BU): Renault, Dacia, Alpine and New Mobility. The objective would be to give each BU an autonomous organization and move from a search for volume to a search for value and profitability.

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• 16

  Harley-Davidson plans to wind up assembly operations in India.

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• 17

  HELLA founded new Global Software House with 2000 software professionals across Germany, Romania, India. Trend is creation of separate software unit/ software factory by auto firms.

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• 18

  Honda and General Motors sign MoU toward establishing a strategic alliance in North America. The alliance will generate substantial cost efficiencies from shared vehicle platforms and propulsion systems both electrified and IC, joint purchasing, potential manufacturing efficiencies and other collaboration efforts. This would enable both GM and Honda to make greater investments in advanced and next-generation technologies. The alliance would explore combining the R&D efforts between the two companies related to advanced technology areas, including electrical architecture, advanced driver assist systems, infotainment, connectivity and vehicle-to-everything communication.

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• 19

  LG Chem Splits Battery Business

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• 20

  Magna has signed an agreement to acquire majority ownership of Honglizhixin (HLZX), a leading seat supplier to Chinese automakers. It will strengthen Magna’s competitiveness through increased vertical integration, additional 10 manufacturing sites, and full engineering and testing. The majority of HLZX’s plants are also vertically integrated with just-in-time seat assembly and delivery, structures, foam, and trim capabilities that enable an optimal sourcing solution for automakers versus sourcing from multiple suppliers.

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• 21

  MARELLI and Highly announce the creation of new joint venture “Highly Marelli.” Through synergies and targeted investment in electrification for HVAC and EDC systems, the new JV will create a new leading player that is well placed to access the growing Chinese market. The sales revenue of the business unit in 2019 was US$ 857 million.

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• 22

  Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, the new joint-venture between the two auto companies, on Thursday announced an additional $830 million investment in its new Alabama plant.

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• 23

  OnStar, a GM subsidiary is expanding its offerings to meet the needs of fleet managers and small business owners in a new, more seamless way. Available now, OnStar Business Solutions brings four distinct product offerings together — OnStar Safety Services, OnStar Vehicle Insights, API & Data Services and Wi-Fi.

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• 24

  Royal Enfield to set up an assembly unit in Argentina, its first outside India. Trend: Local manufacturing investment will increase in different countries/ regions.

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• 25

  SEAT increases its commitment to component companies located in Spain to reinforce the supply chain and promote sustainability.

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• 26

  Tesla plans India entry in 2021.

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• 27

  The telematics-based “InScore” insurance solution from Mercedes-Benz Bank can save up to 30%.

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• 28

  thyssenkrupp commences operational realignment of automotive system engineering and this will be split into two independent companies for body and powertrain.

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• 29

  Toyota Research Institute – Advanced Development announces expansion and launches a new holding company which will consolidate Toyota‘s software technology development and will also offer services to other customers. It will focus on a more agile “software-first” development process and Software Defined Architecture. Auto OEMs are making their software units as separate business unit.

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• 30

  Toyota announced the launch of its Toyota Used Vehicle Online Store, a service for customers to order used vehicles online in Japan. The service provides everything customers need to complete the purchase of a used vehicle online, from quotation through to contracting, for select used vehicles via Toyota dealers.

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• 31

  Veoneer sells U.S. brake business to ZF Group for $1.

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• 32

  Vinfast buys GM Holden’s Lang Lang Testing Centre in Melbourne.

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• 33

  Volkswagen and Brose Group create JV for global automotive seating.

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• 34

  Volkswagen and Uber launch pilot project with electric vehicles in Berlin.

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• 35

  Volkswagen opens vehicle assembly facility in Ghana with installed capacity to assembly 5, 000 units per annum Ghana becomes the fifth Volkswagen vehicle assembly location in Sub-Saharan Africa; the other locations are in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Rwanda. Volkswagen is strengthening the regions and focusing on new up-and-coming markets as part of its TRANSFORM 2025+ brand strategy.

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• 36

  Yandex and Uber will spin off the self-driving car unit of their joint venture into a separate company. Yandex will invest $150 million in the new division getting control and 73% ownership of the company.

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• 37

  Boeing plans to end production of 787 Dreamliner in Washington state, consolidating assembly in South Carolina.

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• 38

  Bombardier has entered into share purchase agreements with each of Lufthansa Technik AG and ExecuJet Aviation Group AG to acquire outstanding shares of Lufthansa Bombardier Aviation Services (LBAS) that it does not own. This transaction enables Bombardier to further expand its worldwide customer support footprint by establishing a wholly-owned service centre in Berlin.

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• 39

  How will small aerospace suppliers survive? They work on razor thin margin in expectation of assured business for 10-20 years. Now assured business has declined sharply. Will we see larger suppliers pick up smaller suppliers and consolidate aerospace supply chain? Company which has cash or can raise cash will survive.

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• 40

  Saab has divested the Dutch-based company QPS (Quality Positioning Services), a provider of hydrographic software solutions within the global maritime industry. The decision is in line with Saab’s strategy to optimize its product portfolio and to increase focus on five core areas: Aeronautics, Sensors, Command & Control, Advanced Weapon Systems and Underwater Systems.

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• 41

  Thyssenkrupp is investing in the construction of a new walking beam furnace in Hot Strip Mill 2 at the Duisburg location. The new unit is intended to ensure a significantly improved surface quality of premium sheets, which are used, for instance, for exterior car body shells. This is part of its strategy to focus on profitable steel grades including multiphase steels, lightweight construction steels and grades with a high surface quality.

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• 42

  Violet Power intends to disrupt the PV industry a solar panel warranty of 50 years, more than three times the average in the industry, today.

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• 43

  Aramco in partnership with SABIC have successfully demonstrated the production and shipment of blue ammonia from Saudi Arabia to Japan with support from the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Forty tons of high-grade blue ammonia have already been dispatched to Japan for use in zero-carbon power generation.

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• 44

  Hitachi ABB Power Grids to acquire US-based Pioneer Solutions LLC, a provider of industry-leading front-to-back-office Commodities/Energy Trading and Risk Management (C/ETRM) solutions. Energy hardware company acquiring energy trading ISV.

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• 45

  Atos to acquire EcoAct, leader in decarbonization strategy consulting.

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• 46

  Cyient acquires IG Partners to strengthen its mining consulting and Industry 4.0 capabilities. IGP is HQ in Australia and has presence in South Africa, Singapore and Chile. It employs 40 people and Revenue for 2020 is ~AUD 14.8 Million.

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• 47

  Combitech is developing the digitalized, autonomous and carbon-dioxide-free mine of the future, in collaboration with other globally leading Swedish companies.

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• 48

  Total acquires London’s largest EV charging network Source London. Its goal for 2025 is to operate more than 150,000 charging points in Europe.

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• 49

  Absolut to trial 2000 paper based drink bottles.

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• 50

  Amazon launches online pharmacy in India starting from Bengaluru.

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• 51

  Coca Cola says it will kill more ‘zombie’ brands, weeks after dropping Odwalla. CPG firms will trim their product and brand portfolio to reduce cost in the crisis. Likely to cut their Zombie brands (which are not growing).

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• 52

  DoorDash launches convenience store in US. Will Swiggy, Zomato launch stores in India in future?

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• 53

  Flipkart invests $35 million in Arvind Fashion. Backward integration?

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• 54

  Kiwa has launched a quality mark for the review of COVID-19 Preventive measures for organizations in the hospitality sector that wish to have their preventive measures tested against the applicable (inter)national requirements and any additional guidelines.

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• 55

  Rakuten is shutting down its US marketplace Buy.Com. Trend: Enterprises will rebook at their nonperforming digital initiatives. Earlier Walmart closed Jet.com

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• 56

  Reliance Retail acquires majority stake in leading digital pharma market place ‘Netmeds’

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• 57

  Walmart will convert 160 store parking lots into drive-in theatres.

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• 58

  Whisky in paper bottle? Diageo?to launch?Johnnie Walker?whisky in paper bottles in 2021. Diageo and Pilot Lite to develop the paper bottle and collaborate on R&D.

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• 59

  World’s most sustainable furniture factory in Norway by Vestre. Combining front end of selling and back end of manufacturing in a fully inspectable factory in middle of forest where customers and employees go on hiking. Add Industry 4.0 for efficiency, productivity, flexibility and renewable energy for sustainability. Is this future of manufacturing?

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• 60

  Johnsons Control sells Hart & Cooley to PE firm H.I.G. Capital. Hart & Cooley has 1800 employees and specializes in residential and commercial venting, chimney, air duct systems and other HVAC products.

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• 61

  Kadant, component manufacturer for process industry acquires industrial automation system integrator, Cogent.

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• 62

  Otis Elevator has acquired Bay State Elevator, including its service portfolio and operations in Northeast US. Trend: Elevator OEMs increasing their service portfolio thru acquisition.

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• 63

  Rolls-Royce with its Power Systems business has set up a new organizational unit ‘Power Lab’ to focus on innovative and net zero carbon drive and energy solutions. The Power Lab will concentrate on the development of cutting-edge technologies for the marine and infrastructure sectors, with a span emphasis on fuel cell systems and the production and deployment of synthetic fuels.

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• 64

  Schneider Electric is partnering with investors to launch a new company focused on microgrids for small and medium-sized U.S. businesses. This venture will enable SMBs to install “energy-as-a-service” pre-engineered clean microgrids without paying for all the costs associated with installing and maintaining the systems up front.

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• 65

  Wärtsilä announces the divestment of 100% of the shares in Wärtsilä JOVYATLAS GmbH to Jacob Waitz Industrie GmbH, a German based industry holding. JOVYATLAS has been manufacturing UPS systems, rectifiers, power inverters, frequency transformers and resistors with related services for many industries already for seven decades. The company became part of Wärtsilä as a result of the acquisition of L-3 Communications MSI in 2015. The company is located in Jemgum in Germany, and currently has some 125 employees. The annual revenues were EUR 20 million in 2019.

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• 66

  22 companies, including Samsung Electronics, Apple’s three contract manufacturers Foxconn, Pegatron and Wistron, Lava and Micromax, have filed applications under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme that aims to boost local manufacturing of mobile phones and components in India.

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• 67

  A new engineering service provider, BIRD, is formed in Japan with collaboration of a NEC, a construction firm, a couple of private equity firms, a mid-tier IT firm and a leading university. Interesting model from initial investment to all activities till new product launch.

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• 68

  Bosch and SAP aim to simplify corporate processes with standardization and automation along entire value chains. Bosch contributes industrial expertise and experience with pioneering technologies for refining SAP solutions. Thanks to networks across companies and industries, external stakeholders will also benefit from increased efficiency and flexibility.

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• 69

  How Industry 4.0 technology firms?are preparing for manufacturing localization? World’s biggest industrial PC manufacturer Advantech has formed a JV in Mexico expecting more manufacturing and Industry 4.0 investment.

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• 70

  MachiningCloud has launched a marketplace of machining tools where manufacturer can buy tools based on 3D models from different tooling manufacturers and integrate it with CAM systems quickly.

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• 71

  Manufacturing relocation from China begins at scale. Japan reveals 87 projects eligible for ‘China exit’ subsidies. 30 projects are heading to South East Asia: Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, etc. (Hoya, Sumitomo, Shin Etsu). 57 projects are heading back to Japan (Iris, Sharaya, Sharp).

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• 72

  Schneider Electric extends strategic partnerships with AVEVA, Lenovo and Stratus to enable IT/OT Convergence. One the pillar is reference design with partners. the advantage of reference design is ability to pre-configure technology platforms and devices before shipment increases deployment speed and can reduce field engineering costs by 25-40%, increase order processing speed by 20%, and reduce maintenance costs by 7%.

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• 73

  The Brazilian motors and controls manufacturer WEG, a $3 billion firm, is acquiring a controlling stake (51%) in Mvisia, a Brazilian start-up that specializes in applying AI and computer vision systems for Industry 4.0

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• 74

  This is an interesting partnership. SAP?will offer?Siemens Teamcenter PLM and Siemens will offer SAP Intelligent Asset Management solutions and SAP Project and Portfolio Management applications. Can SAP acquire Siemens Software portfolio in future?

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• 75

  US Government wants to push firms to move to US, LatAm or Caribbean from China in $30 -$50 billion nearshoring drive. Initial focus is on infrastructure, energy and transportation.

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• 76

  As the first in Denmark, the three Nordic engineering service providers Prevas, TPU and Dawn Health are collaborating to offer combined solution from 1500 professionals to Danish medical device industry. They are experts in their respective fields in medical devices product development, TPU – electromechanical, Prevas – embedded, and Dawn Health – software and can offer one stop solution from start to finish.

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• 77

  Camera maker Kodak dives into drug manufacturing (API) with $765M federal loan. Kodak will repurpose existing facilities in New York and Minnesota to incorporate continuous manufacturing and advanced technology capabilities.

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• 78

  Esaote delivered and installed over 50 WDM M40-1A portable digital radiological devices when awarded contracts under public competitions held by Italy’s national healthcare system. WDM, is China’s biggest listed manufacturer of medical devices who purchased Esaote in 2018. International expansion strategy of Chinese Medical devices leader. Acquire company in Europe and through it get government tenders.

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• 79

  Interesting deal between Bayer and One Data (Informed Data Systems) to jointly develop digital health products across therapeutic areas. Bayer to provide series C funding to One Data. One Data will receive platform development fees. Bayer will receive royalties on sale of One Data Platform. Later Bayer may also commercialize jointly developed platform.

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• 80

  A two year £200m Irish Sea contract to implement Brexit checks on goods has been won by consortium of Fujitsu, McKinsey, HGS among others.

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• 81

  KKR creates a JV with European IT firm?Devoteam?(€759 Million Revenue) And Targets Acquisitions. Expect More PE Driven Consolidation In IT And Engineering Services.

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• 82

  Microsoft is developing a new consulting unit under Omar. It is already a $6 billion business with 16000 people according to this news. This would be among top 20 IT service providers by revenue. Looks Microsoft wants to grow this further. Is it directionally similar to IBM Software and IBM Service model?

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• 83

  Some Indian service providers are getting in products based solutions while some Global service providers are getting out. Capgemini sells Odigo to Apax Partners.

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• 84

  TCS has helped Extreme Networks, a leader in cloud-driven networking, to , successfully complete the post-merger integration of Aerohive Networks into its ecosystem, in record time. TCS consultants completed the complex data mapping, transformation and integration within an aggressive timeline of six months.

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• 85

  AT&T considers cellphone plans subsidized by ads. Interesting model if it works.

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• 86

  Sierra Wireless is divesting its China-based automotive embedded module product line for US$165 million. This cash will allow it to expand its R&D centre in Richmond and invest in 5G, IoT. Trend: Generate cash by divesting legacy technology and invest in emerging technology R&D.

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• 87

  Tech Mahindra sells Altiostar Networks stake to Rakuten Mobile for $45 Million (which it acquired in 2018 for $15 million) and signs global partnership for RCP platform.

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